Thailand has suspended the issuance of new gun permits following a deadly school shooting last week in which a 14-year-old boy killed eight people before taking his own life.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Government would introduce tougher gun control measures and significantly harsher penalties, with the suspension of new permits taking effect immediately.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian hands. The country has also experienced a high level of gun-related crime.
Under the latest measures, no new permits to purchase or own firearms will be issued until further notice. Existing purchase permits will not be renewed, although it remains unclear how the suspension will affect current firearm ownership permits.
The Government has also been considering ways to encourage owners of an estimated four million unlicensed firearms to surrender them following the school shooting.
The attack took place last Friday at Debsirin Nonthaburi School outside Bangkok. Authorities said the teenager first shot his grandparents with a handgun belonging to his grandfather before opening fire at teachers and students at the school.
The incident left both grandparents, five school staff members and a 12-year-old girl dead.
Police believe the teenager may have taught himself how to use firearms through social media. Investigators said he had watched violent online content and developed a strong interest in learning how to handle guns.
Authorities are also examining whether anxiety surrounding his studies and family problems may have contributed to the attack.
Thailand previously suspended permits to carry firearms in public in late 2023. Licensed gun owners are required to keep their weapons at home or at authorised shooting ranges.
Gun control advocates have called for mental health assessments to become part of the firearm licensing process, along with regular reviews of existing permits.
Anutin has also indicated that tighter controls on ammunition could be introduced, while the Education Ministry has proposed screening measures at school entrances to prevent students from bringing weapons onto school grounds.
